Cooking Class for Working Families in Kansas

This entry was posted on May 15, 2013 by LZX Team.

Changing habits can be hard. They are especially hard when you’re short on time, short on resources and short on knowledge. Folks in Winfield, Kansas recognized these barriers for working families in terms of cooking nutrition meals so they came up with a powerful partnership and a powerful plan. According to the Winfield Daily Courier…

Too many cooks may spoil the broth, but not if the cooks are organized. On April 27, the first “That’s a Crock, the Cooking Class for Working Families” helped families get organized related to meal planning and preparation. ….

Marcia Evans, member of First Baptist Church, shared information about Prairie Land Foods, a program designed around the idea of giving a helping hand to people in the community, some refer to it as a “pay it forward” concept. In return, community members are offered a nutritious grocery package at a low cost, helping to stretch food dollars. The Prairie Pak includes a wide assortment of frozen meats and a variety of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables at a savings of up to 50 percent off retail prices. Several Prairie Paks were awarded as door prizes.

Participants left with a new seven-quart slow cooker, food thermometer and “Living Well, more than a Cookbook.” Class participants shared that they benefitted from the menu planning activities and enjoyed the hands-on format. Cyndii Callaway, Healthy Start home visitor from City-Cowley County Health Department and several Eagle Nest Inc. staff members and volunteers, served as class mentors.

It might be worth considering how you can replicate the program in your area. Are there funders, educators, nutritionists that might be able to help. You might even start with gardening classes – help people create nutritious meals from backyard to fork!